[SHIMACM]

I love it when the include the original box, excellent find. RCA do have their own high and mid range sound. I have a coup;e of the consumer grade RCA and would love to have the VT231 version of this tube.

That was a finding. I won at an auction with virtually no competitors.

 

[DenverW]

Expensive, but getting more and more rare so I assume the price will continue to rise as these disappear. I haven't heard the GEC 6as7g curved base but I do have a straight brown base, and this tube is better. Best power tube I've heard. Is it worth it compared to other tubes? Well, if you have the money, yes. If this stretches you, a 5998 is probably 80-90% of these (using the precise mathematical forumula called, "best guess!") but even those are 150+ now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-chanc...520105?hash=item3da4d66929:g:S20AAOSwt0pe3vxc

 

[cddc]

Have you compared GEC 6AS7G to WE 421A, @DenverW ?

I heard lots of people favor the GEC 6AS7G, but also some people prefer the WE 421A.

 

[DenverW]

I found the 421a to be clearer and more revealing. This is compared to the straight brown base gec 6as7g. Due to less clarity the gec feel smoother, but I did prefer the 421a in pretty much each area when using my Hd800. Base had similar quantity but was more controlled, and the treble was more extended and defined.

The 421a was the one power tube where I knew right away there was a difference. Trying lots of power tubes I liked some more than others, but with this one I could tell right away that I preferred it to the rest.

 

[SHIMACM]

I found the 421a to be clearer and more revealing. This is compared to the straight brown base gec 6as7g. Due to less clarity the gec feel smoother, but I did prefer the 421a in pretty much each area when using my Hd800. Base had similar quantity but was more controlled, and the treble was more extended and defined.

The 421a was the one power tube where I knew right away there was a difference. Trying lots of power tubes I liked some more than others, but with this one I could tell right away that I preferred it to the rest.

Have you compared it to Chatham 6as7g?

 

[DenverW]

Have you compared it to Chatham 6as7g?

I had a tung sol 6as7g, which is one of my favorite affordable power tubes. Liked it, but it falls behind the gec and 421a in bass quanity and overall clarity. The upper end power tubes have a whole extra layer to them.

 

[JKDJedi]

I had a tung sol 6as7g, which is one of my favorite affordable power tubes. Liked it, but it falls behind the gec and 421a in bass quanity and overall clarity. The upper end power tubes have a whole extra layer to them.

I'd have to confirm this with @DenverW 421a is a special tube. Will bring life to tubes you don't favor and can push lower impedance headphones well. Is it worth the Xtra $$$ well, depends on the individual I guess. This tube I s clearly above any power tube I own, including the 5998. Just another level.

 

[SHIMACM]

I read a user's comment on another topic saying that the Melz 1578 is one level above the Vts 231 tubes. However, it does not have Darkvoice. Do you agree with that impression on Darkvoice?

 

[JKDJedi]

I read a user's comment on another topic saying that the Melz 1578 is one level above the Vts 231 tubes. However, it does not have Darkvoice. Do you agree with that impression on Darkvoice?

I'd need some time with the Melz, which should be arriving tomorrow hopefully. and that's saying a lot about the Melz, there's a lot of very good VT231 out there, a lot.

 

[SHIMACM]

I'd need some time with the Melz, which should be arriving tomorrow hopefully. and that's saying a lot about the Melz, there's a lot of very good VT231 out there, a lot.

When Melz arrives, I would be grateful to know how he behaves against Ken Rad vt 231.

 

[JKDJedi]

When Melz arrives, I would be grateful to know how he behaves against Ken Rad vt 231.

will do!

 

[DenverW]

Which melz? Ive seen flat plates and ones with circular holes down the plates.

 

[JKDJedi]

Which melz? Ive seen flat plates and ones with circular holes down the plates.

1578- rods with the holes down the middle. Not plates. Hopefully I can date the tube. I'll compare this with the Fotons (6N8S)the same. For a tenth of the price of the Melz you can get a pair of these Fotons (https://www.ebay.com/itm/202590547536 ) curious how this plays out.
You can find imitation Melz out there for cheap, I'm certain I got the Real Deal Holyfield, and not an imitation.

 

[DenverW]

Yep, those were the ones I was thinking of. I’m also curious how they play out.

 

[SHIMACM]

I'm about to say that RCA vt231 sounds better to my ears than Ken Rad Vt231. My new favorite. Hoping to get Raytheon Vt231 to see how it behaves against KR and RCA.